A very popular snorkeling and diving site in Belize, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a must-visit. Its four zones offer something unique and exciting for every tourist.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is popular in Belize
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley 
are two of the most popular snorkeling/diving sites in Belize. This is all thanks to its close proximity to San Pedro, the large
amount of fish life in the Hol Chan cut which is accessible by snorkelers and beginner divers, the diversity of marine life that can be encountered through the park’s four zones, and the novelty and excitement of swimming with big numbers of sting rays and nurse sharks.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone A: Hol Chan Cut
The Hol Chan Cut is just 15 minutes south of San Pedro and about 30 minutes north of Caye Caulker. Trips from San Pedro last about half a day, while trips from Caye Caulker which includes a visit to San Pedro last a full day. During the boat ride going to the park, make sure that you keep an eye out for flying fish and jumping rays. Because of the protected status of the area, fish populations have exploded. In waters less than 5 feet deep, large a schools of snappers, groupers, barracuda and jacks are abound.
Outside the barrier reef, the ocean bottom slowly slopes off into the Caribbean. All diving levels can be accommodated here because of the variations in depth, from 30 to more than 100-foot dives that can be planned and executed. Groove and spur formations give rich habitat to marine life. Spotted eagle rays and other pelagic creations swim above the reef while the more cyptic creations like eels and lobsters fill the tunnels and holes through the coral spurs.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone B: Seagrass Beds
Although mess visited, the seagrass beds (Zone B) and mangrove roots (Zone C) are well worth the visit is only for the novelty of what you will see. Sea grass beds are big feeding grounds, and chances are that you will come upon big sting rays that feed on the bottom, and schools of hogfish and parrot fish grazing on epiphytes growing on the seagrass. This is a very rare occurance, but it can be possible to view manatee feeding in the grass beds.
The best method to explore the seagrass beds is to have your boat drop you off about 200 yards from the mangrove edges, or near other feature that your guide knows of, and then to slowly swim toward the feature or mangrove. Swim slow while swinging your head from side to side. Most of the life in the grass beds is cryptic and well-camouflaged, so you need to key in on movement, like a sailfin blenny flagging or a conchshell dropping as the snail reacts to movement. Be motionless for a minute and let the surroundings come alive.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone C: Mangroves
Within the seagrass zone is the Boca Ciega (or Blind Mouth) cave. This is a blue hole, a mini version of the popular Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef. You have to be a cave-certified SCUBA diver to enter the Boca Ciega, and only explore it after contacting the Reserve Manager at the San Pedro office and securing an experienced cave-certified guide. The cave is considered to be dangerous, even by some experienced cave divers, and visibility is generally poor.
The mangrove habitat, particularly the mangrove root systems that go beyond the tidal range of the area, is just one of the most colorful and biologically-diverse habitats for marine invertebrates. Be careful when swimming among the mangroves. Stay away from the silt laden roots or you will stir up debris and cloud the water. Slowly float toward a colorful root and be mesmerized at the layers of life that struggle to get a space on the roots.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone D: Shark Ray Alley
This is a recently discovered dive site that has been chosen as one of the best animal dives in the Caribbean. For years, local fishermen cleaned their catch just inside the reef, south of Hol Chan and Ambergris Caye. The fishermen soon noticed that the offal from cleaning was attracts nurse sharks and southern sting rays. When the San Pedro dive operators found out, they investigated and the Shark Ray Alley quickly became a popular dive site.
The rays and sharks hear the dive boats approaching and start to school in anticipation of bait thrown into the water. Once you arrive, you will see the surface boiling with sting ray wings and rolling sharks as they vie for scraps. These creatures have a great tolerance for snorkelers and divers. The rays directly swim to the divers, mouths mostly turned up hoping for a little tid bit of food, while docile nurse sharks can be a bit more aggressive than the sting rays.
Indeed, Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one place that you need to visit if you find yourself on a vacation in Belize. Its picturesque views, rich wildlife and lush forests will take you out. Ask about affordable Hol Chan Marine Reserve tours in this beautiful tourist spot to ensure that you get to see and experience the best of what this place has to offer.